Question 1

What kinds of issues can you help me with?

Accepted Answer

I treat all forms of anxiety, depression, relationship issues and major life events.

Think of me as a family doctor, but for psychological issues. As a clinical psychologist I treat a very full range of life and relationship issues, marriage/divorce, trauma, grief and loss, parent and child problems. 
 
If you have a unique problem that I do not have much expertise in, I will help you find the right practitioner.

For most people, several issues are linked together and need to be treated all together. These can include addictions, family issues, relationship problems, past traumas or abuse you may have experienced, major life transitions, health challenges and career issues.

"Depression and anxiety" are the basic signs of mental distress. They take different forms depending on the person, as each person is unique. I can help you understand what form you are suffering and what can be done to find relief.

Question 2

Why didn't therapy work for me in the past?

Accepted Answer

Many people are just not getting genuine, high quality psychotherapy. Quite frequently, patients tell me their therapist 1) just listened and didn't offer much insight or challenge; 2) began to talk casually with them like a friend; or 3) they were given CBT techniques that did not heal their deeper emotional issues.

Instead of offering casual "counseling" or CBT tips and tricks, I offer the kind of in-depth, psychodynamic therapy that creates lasting healing. Research backs this up.

Our thoughts are complex and so are our emotions. They require a compassionate, depth perspective, rather than treating people as though they are just a collection of bad thoughts and good thoughts to be switched as needed.

As a  psychologist I am trained to facilitate your growth and healing at a deeper level.

Too many therapists think that just creating "a safe space" for you to talk and to feel your feelings, will heal and resolve all your issues. This is just not true. In some cases, a patient needs practical problem solving on a specific question -- or highly directive couples counseling.

In other cases, the patient needs me to accurately diagnose and understand their personality structure, traumas, and the deeper emotional, developmental issues that have limited their well-being. 
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An effective psychologist cannot just rely on remaining neutral and supportive. Yes sometimes a patients needs a lot of listening and supportive feedback. Other times, they need me to very actively explain their issues, educate them, and outline their process or steps for healing. 
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None of this means that I will be simply "Telling them what to do" in a given situation. But it does mean that I will be highly responsive, engaging, and adaptive to their unique personality and needs. 
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In my view, too many psychotherapists have been taught to rely on pat theories and to not say too much. They think the patient will just magically find all the answers in themselves. This is absurd.

Often, the fact is that the therapist just does not possess the deeper insight and knowledge base that would allow them to provide incisive feedback and education. When they do not really understand the issue in terms of personality structure and development -- it's no wonder they have little say beyond "You should love yourself" or "You need to let yourself feel that" or "Let go of your defenses."

In other cases, therapists do talk a lot, but they talk carelessly about themselves and think that acting like a friend with their patient will heal them. 
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The truth is, there are times when I have to very actively lecture, counsel, and correct a patient's view on many things. I will do so respectfully -- but with the authority that comes from knowledge and experience. 
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Unlike many therapists, I do not claim to practice ten different therapy approaches and then to "pick one" that fits the patient. That is impossible, anyway. Therapy does not work that way. Instead, the psychodynamic approach is deep, broad, and flexible enough to allow the therapist to work effectively with different patients.

Question 3

What makes psychotherapy effective?

Accepted Answer

There are a few powerful keys to therapy that make it so transformative. The first factor is that you are receiving personal, empathic connection in a confidential setting, with a professional who knows how to give you the space and time you need. This allows thoughts to flow and feelings to release.

The second factor is the clinical perspective and diagnostic skill that my training and experience provides. I use systematic thinking to figure out what is going on inside a person and their life. 
 
A third factor is the unique personality and experience of the psychologist, and how that matches up with the needs of the client.

Question 4

How can I set up an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Just call or email me today, and I will contact you within a day to discuss your concerns and schedule a time for us to meet.

Question 5

What will the first session be like?

Accepted Answer

Don't worry - I will guide the conversation so you don't have to wonder what to say. Most clients feel energized, relieved and hopeful after the first session. 
 
I think you’ll find it's a very relaxed and comfortable conversation. You'll receive many new insights and get a solid sense of how I can help you.
 
First, I will ask some key questions and give you plenty of time to describe what you are going through. I’ll also want to know what made you seek out help, what your life is like lately, and get a general sense of your history.
 
Then I'll share with you what our basic goals might be, some preliminary thoughts about your situation, and how long the process may take.

Question 6

Do you take insurance?

Accepted Answer

Most of my patients pay out of pocket, but I now take a limited number of patients with insurance. Please contact me to discuss options.

Question 7

How frequent are the sessions we will have?

Accepted Answer

Generally I see people once per week. Some patients come twice weekly, because they are in crisis or their problems need more attention.

As our work together proceeds, your needs may change and we can adjust the schedule to suit you.

Question 8

How long will it take for me to feel better and solve my problems?

Accepted Answer

After the first session, you will feel deeply heard and will have some new insights to move forward with.
 
As you can guess, the time depends on how deep the problem goes and how many issues you need to work on. 
 
For some people, a few sessions is enough to resolve a decision or question. For others, working together over a several months is necessary - and life-changing.

Almost all of my patients go from feeling stuck and confused about the nature of their problems, to having an empowered sense of clarity, support and courage to move forward.
 
I can assure you that I regularly get very positive results with most of my patients. A lot depends on your readiness to grow and change.

Question 9

Do I pay you just to listen to me tell my story?

Accepted Answer

No - we will do far more than that. I often hear that "My former therapist let me talk and talk, but nothing changed." That is unfortunate.

Therapy should feel engaging and productive. Each session will be a little different but generally a psychotherapist should alternate between careful listening and thoughtful reflections. 
There are many aspects of our personality type, our history and belief systems that need to be accurately assessed and understood for therapy to be effective. Just listening is not enough. A good psychotherapist must be able to challenge their patients and bring original thinking and wisdom to bear upon many life situations.

At no time do I allow a struggling patient to just spend the time venting and not finding solutions together. We all need to vent - a little - but then it's time to gain insight and find solutions. I will pay careful attention to make sure our discussion is productive. 
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Effective therapy provides deep listening as well as an action-oriented approach. Half of healing comes from feeling things through and finding insight. The other half comes from doing things differently - now.

Question 10

Don't you need your patients to keep coming to therapy in order to make a living - so why would you want to cure them?

Accepted Answer

In my case, I do not practice psychotherapy in order to make a living. I do this because it is my calling and I enjoy it. 
I never want to be bored in my work. I am fulfilled and happy when I see my patients growing, feeling empowered and moving on with their lives.

I don't want people lingering in therapy any longer than they need. That would be very boring for both of us. I want people feeling much better and moving on when it is time.

For some, that happens after a few weeks or months. For others, they really benefit from long-term therapy.

There is always a steady stream of people needing help, and I make sure that my case load is moderate so that my patients get the best care from me.

Question 11

There seems to be many forms of therapy. How do I know which one is right for me?

Accepted Answer

Today there is a lot of confusion about what psychotherapy is. New graduates often claim to use 5 or even 10 different "approaches" that they will "tailor" to your needs. This is largely a myth.

The truth is that therapy divides more basically into 
1) Psychodynamic "depth" work, and 
2) the more cognitive-behavioral "symptom management" approaches.

I practice - and strongly favor - the psychodynamic approach. The psychodynamic, relational approach is the gold standard for psychotherapy. It is shown to create more lasting results. This requires more training, which a Doctoral or PsyD program will provide.

I do not believe that everyone needs a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in order to practice effective psychodynamic therapy. But I do believe that training in the time-tested principles of psychodynamic therapy is vital for becoming a more effective therapist.

There is also the question of how much personal development and consciousness the person has gained.

In addition to my doctoral training as a psychologist, I have been deeply engaged in developing higher consciousness and self-actualization. For that reason, I bring a strong sense of confidence and inspiration to my work with patients.

Question 12

I am worried that you won't accept or agree with my political views.

Accepted Answer

Psychotherapy is a place to explore your thoughts and feelings without fear of being judged. I do not make assumptions about what any of my patients think or believe -- nor do I discuss my own beliefs.

I will not - 
1) Assume what your political beliefs are. 
2) Say things that fish for signs of political agreement or alignment.

If you should wish to discuss yourr political views, we can do that in a way that focuses on your process and what your beliefs mean to you.

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FAQ

Contact me today.

If you’re ready to start feeling better, call me now to discuss getting started. If you leave a message or text me, I will get back to you promptly.